The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-06-25
TIE BATTLE OF THE FLAGS.

Tho voluntary impulse which
prompted the War Department to re-
turn the battle flags captured from
Confederate regiments during the war,
and which received the approval OF
the President, has afforded the office
seekin. politicians OF the North aud
West an opportunity to come promi-
nently TO the front, and they have
fastened to improve it. The opposi.
tion that has been raised to what in
itself would, If carried into execution,
be no more nor less than graceful
and fraternal act, is all the more sur.
prising to those who have believed in
the professions of conciliatiOn and
friendship for the South on the part of
those who have so suddenly broken
out in silly ebullitiOns OF rage at the
official recognition and imitation of
numerous examples of similar kindly
acts which have been reported from
time to time in both sections of the
Union. They are too numerous to
specify, though they are sufficiently
we'll known - every intelligent per-
sou 10 satisfy him that the proposed
return of tho captured flags In the
War Department. would be perfectly
consistent with tue generous conduct
of so many voluntary militia orgauiza-
tions on both sides of the line, and
which has therefore, received the un-
qualified approval OF the good and
patriotic, and allowed to pass, per.
force, in silence, by those who have
no valid claim to those qualities. In
this good work Of returning the trop-
hies OF victory In the struggle OF war
the South has completely divested it.
self OF all the flags brought home by
Its soldiers. The Item Is informed
that but one yet remains in the pos.
session OF any local communicative
Continental Guards-and that for want
OF an owner TO return 1t to. The regi-
ment that once owned II having gone
out Of existence, this sole remaining
Union flag Is kept in great honor In
glass case ut the armOry. The Thir-
teenth Louisiana Volunteers has lust
been notified from Ohio of desire and
intent to return their flag, and tho
overture has been received and &C.
cepted with thanks.
With such preCedents, und the full
knowledge of professions of peace and
fraternity, and upon the recommends
ton OF the War Department, the Presi-
dent was fully justified, AS u matter of
public policy, In conforming official
action to the spontaneous conduct OF
the people, which has invariably been
highly approved and applauded.
We are constrained to presume, II
these manifestations OF petty feeligs of
spite and resentment are to be applau-
ded by the people Of the North, that
all former professions of good will and
fraternity were hollow and inslncero.
We do not, however, believe this
illiberal feeling will be sustained.
The malcontents have been the first to
rush to the telegraph offices and the
newspapers with their noisy protests,
which, unfortunately, have Influenced
the President to rccede from one Of
the most magnaniln0us and patriotic
suggestions of his administration. Tho
Item concurs with the sentiments at
tributed by tho Baltimore Sun to
Secretary Bayard, and who thus COM
mented upon the Presidents order to
return the flags:
"By q stroke Oi the pen the Presi-
dent has done more to unite the States
and confirm the constitutional prece-
dents than could have been accom-
plished In any other way.
There can never be united people
80 long as the conquerors in civil war
hold over the conquered anything
which keeps alive the feeling Of exist
ing sectional enmity.
The act of the President IL brave, be-
cause it has already aroused the rage
OF the professional office seeking soldier
organs and the partisan journals, which
seemed in many cases to have no other
excuse for being than TO keep alive
and bequeath from father TO son bit
ter hatred"
Against this cogent, practical and
philosophical reasoning, the hotheaded
ex-generals and "loyaP' Governors on
the other side OF Mason and Dixon's
line have interposed nothing but angry
defamation. They profess to see In II
all an "insult," though the subterfuge
is too apparent to deceive any one.
The President himself Is said to have
conceived, upon an examination OF the
statutes, Il doubt as TO the legality of
the order of the War Department, and
he has, therefore, directed 1t to be re-
voked. This is to be regretted, as it
would be difficult to find better
theme to present to tho generous peo-
pie of the country to prove to The world
exactly how far we have advanced
from the bitter feelings Of sectional ha-
tired that brought the people into col
lision 80 many years ago. We have
lift le dOubt that CunCToj3 will embrace